Vulnerabilities within the Australian Government’s Home Insulation Scheme led to systemic fraud. By April 2010 there were 961 cases where more than one insulator had submitted a claim for payment for insulating the same premises. All were referred for further investigation.
Case studies
Showing 1 - 8 of 8 resultsA Victorian man falsely claiming to be a qualified in vitro fertilisation (IVF) specialist performed a range of treatments on 30 victims. The man who never studied medicine deliberately deceived his victims, defrauded them of $370,000 and performed invasive procedures on their bodies.
A criminal group coerced a government employee to leak personal information in exchange for cash. The government employee obtained the information from a Department of Human Services' system and sent it by text message to alleged gang members. The criminal group then used the information to assume the identities of innocent people and commit further crimes. The employee pleaded guilty to participating in a criminal group, dealing in identification information and dishonestly receiving a benefit. She was sentenced to 32 months jail.
The operators of two sushi outlets acted recklessly by underpaying nine visa holders a total of $19,467 in wages and $7,416 in superannuation.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) identified a company had been importing counterfeit condoms. The TGA proactively contacted customers who purchased the counterfeit condoms and organised a recall in addition to taking action against the supplier. The TGA’s response received positive media coverage and boosted public confidence in the TGA.
A Queensland woman was charged for collecting her late mother’s pension for nearly 20 years which totalled $254,440. The woman’s mother had a separate bank account under a different name which continued to receive payments after her death. The woman regularly withdrew funds from this bank account and updated the address and contact details multiple times over a number of years. The woman was sentenced to 2 years and 6 months imprisonment.
A Sydney GP has been arrested for his alleged involvement in a “crash and earn” insurance fraud. The man allegedly created fraudulent medical records and certificates based on fabricated vehicle crashes. The man also allegedly produced false medical certificates for university students.
The Department of Defence investigated allegations of the theft of a significant number of military store items. The investigation found no evidence of criminal activity but identified significant systemic issues within the asset management of military stores.